An international conference will launch leaflets that focus on the economic and social benefits of reducing plastic use. GreenSports Network eventWednesday, 15 December
The network event brings together national and community governing bodies, club organizers, and participants in sports to share practical ideas and experience to reduce carbon emissions within community sport.
Hannah Amor, Environment Agency plastics and sustainability project lead, said:
This guidance is perfect for clubs who want to improve their green credentials. They can learn about sustainable kits swaps and reusable products, new sustainable club initiatives, and how to influence adaptations in the bathroom, kitchen, and waste areas to reduce plastic consumption.
These small changes can help communities address the climate emergency, save money, and encourage clubs to be sustainable role models for their community.
The guidance encourages readers to sign up for the Big Plastic Pledge, a global campaign started by Hannah Mills, Olympic gold medallist. It calls on sports representatives to increase their efforts to reduce plastic waste.
These leaflets are based on the September Environment Agency’s sports sustainability guidance for stadiums and events.
The new guidance has been prepared for the Interreg Preventing Plastic Pollution – ProjectThe 18-member cross-Channel partnership of 18 experts, ”, identifies and targets hotspots in plastic, implements effective alternatives and solutions, and embeds behavior change in local communities.
The PPP project supports Environment Agency’s ambitions to promote better environmental practices that reduce plastic waste. This will help achieve the goals and promises outlined in its EA2025 5-year plan to create better places and better habitats for wildlife and people.
Experts believe that half of all plastic is used for single-use items. These are items that are only used for a short time and then thrown away. Plastic is estimated to reach 12 million tonnes each year. This is equivalent to a bin truck load every minute.
Notes for editors
Environment Agency: The Environment Agency is a regulator that prevents plastic waste from entering the environment. It does this by cracking down against waste crime and poor waste management. Its ambition as an influencer is to promote better environmental practices, resulting in a reduction in plastic waste. This will help achieve the goals and promises outlined in its five-year plan to create better places, for people, wildlife, and the environment, as well as the government’s 25-year Environment Plan.
Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP). PPPThe 14 million-dollar EU INTERREGVA France (Channel), England Programme project is co-financed by European Regional Development Fund. It primarily works across seven pilot sites: Brest Harbour Bay of Douarnenez Bay of Veys Poole Harbour and the Medway, Tamar and Great Ouse estuaries. Partners are the Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Queen Mary University of London, LABOCEA Conseil, Expertise et Analyses, Syndicat mixte tablissement public de gestion et damnagement de la baie de Douarnenez, Office Franais De La Biodiversit, Parc naturel marin dIroise, Brest Mtropole, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Counseil dpartemental de la Manche, Institut franais de recherche pour lexploitation de la mer, The Rivers Trust, Syndicat de bassin de lElorn, ACTIMAR, Brestaim, Westcountry Rivers Trust, South East Rivers Trust, and Plymouth City Council.
GreenSport Network The GreenSport NetworkSports Marketing Network manages the project. They aim to collect and share best practice examples from community sport providers at all stages of development. It also trains potential green sports providers how to create and run sustainable activities.
Big Plastic Pledge The Big Plastic PledgeThis is an athlete-driven movement that aims to eliminate single-use plastic in sport.